Health & Safety — Employee Handbook

(Non-contractual policy. Statutory obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and associated legislation apply regardless.)

General Statement

ACT Acoustics is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, contractors, and visitors. We will comply with our duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and all relevant regulations.

As a small employer, our approach to health and safety is proportionate and practical. Everyone has a part to play.

Employer Responsibilities

The company will:

Carry out risk assessments for all significant work activities and review them regularly.
Provide suitable equipment, training, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work you do.
Maintain equipment in safe working order.
Ensure you know the hazards of your work and the precautions to take.
Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses, and take corrective action.

Employee Responsibilities

You must:

Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of anyone who may be affected by your work.
Follow safe working procedures and use PPE provided.
Report hazards, accidents, incidents, and near misses to Mike Wood without delay.
Not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health and safety.
Cooperate with the company on health and safety matters.

Working from Home

If you work from home you are responsible for maintaining a safe and suitable workspace. The company will provide a workstation assessment and any reasonable equipment needed to ensure your home setup is safe and comfortable.

You should ensure:

Your workstation is set up to avoid strain (monitor at eye level, proper chair, adequate lighting).
Trailing cables are managed to prevent trips.
Electrical equipment is in good condition.
You take regular breaks from screen work.

Fieldwork and Site Safety

A significant part of our work involves visiting construction sites, industrial premises, and outdoor locations. The following requirements apply to all fieldwork:

Before a Site Visit

Check that you have the correct PPE for the site (hard hat, high-visibility vest, safety boots, hearing protection, eye protection as required).
Review any site-specific induction requirements or risk assessments.
Ensure your equipment is in good working order and calibrated where necessary.
Let a colleague or Mike Wood know where you are going and your expected return time (a simple text message or calendar entry is sufficient).

On Site

Sign in at the site office and follow the site rules.
Wear the required PPE at all times in designated areas.
Be aware of your surroundings — moving vehicles, open excavations, overhead work, uneven ground.
Do not take unnecessary risks. If a situation feels unsafe, stop and seek advice.
If you are working alone, maintain regular contact with the office.

Driving

Much of our work involves driving to client sites. You must:

Hold a valid UK driving licence for the vehicle you are driving.
Ensure your vehicle (or the company vehicle) is roadworthy, insured, and taxed.
Not drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that impairs your ability.
Take adequate breaks on long journeys.
Not use a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Accident and Incident Reporting

All accidents, injuries, near misses, and dangerous occurrences must be reported to Mike Wood as soon as practicable. The company will record them and investigate as appropriate. Certain incidents must be reported to the Health and Safety Executive under RIDDOR 2013.

Child Protection and DBS Checks

Some of our work may bring you into regular contact with children or vulnerable people — for example, on certain festival, school, or community sites. If you are likely to work regularly with children or vulnerable people, you may be required to undergo a criminal records check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Where a DBS check is required for your work, the company will arrange and pay for it. Any disclosure information will be handled confidentially and used only to assess suitability for the relevant work, in line with our data protection obligations (see Data Protection).